The flower stalk of the 'Tennoji' turnip with bolting, leaf and root growth, was investigated in the late harvesting stage. In the 4 weeks after the optimal harvesting date, the sizes and weights of the roots did not increase. However, the flower stalks and leaves became larger, and the total plant weight increased. This tendency was similar to the allied variety 'Nozawana'. The sugar content of the roots (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) was investigated at the same time. As the flower stalks enlarged, the three sugars decrease in concentration contents in the roots of the 'Tennoji' turnip. The total sugar content (glucose+fructose+ sucrose) in the roots decreased more than in 'Nozawana'. This study indicates that the 'Tennoji' turnip uses great deal of energy stored in the roots for growth of the flower stalks after the optimal harvesting date, so that the sugar content in the roots, which is important to the quality of the turnip, decreases. Harvesting at the optimal time is important for producing 'Tennoji' turnips of good quality.

Vegetarian Research Vol. 9 (2008)

Abstract. Objective: Despite the possible overall health benefits of vegetarian diet, very few researches on the nutritional characteristics of Japanese vegetarians have been reported. Our objective is to clarify the nutritional characteristics of Japanese vegetarians compared with those of Japanese non-vegetarians.
Design: The dietary intake, anthropometric and biochemical status of 75 middle-aged Japanese vegetarians (MV, 20 men and 55 women) were compared with those of age-sex matched 98 middle-aged Japanese non-vegetarians (MNV, 80 men and 18 women) in a cross-sectional study.
Results: MV men had significantly higher intakes of calcium, iron (P<0.001) and dietary fiber (p<0.01), and significantly lower intakes of vitamin D (p<0.05), vitamin B12, cholesterol, meat fat, seafood fat and lower percentage of energy intakes as animal protein (p<0.01) than MNV men. In addition, MV men had significantly lower serum total cholesterol (p<0.05), body mass index, blood pressure, aspartate transaminase, alanin transaminase and serum triacylglyceride (p<0.01) than JNV men. MV women had significantly lower systolic blood pressure and serum triacylglyceride (p<0.05) than MNV women.
Conclusions: MV men and women had better nutritional characteristics except significantly lower vitamin D and vitamin B12 intake than MNV men and women from a standpoint of lifestyle-related diseases.

Vegetarian Research Vol. 8 (2007)

This paper presents a review of numerous reports on the current status of
vegetarian diets in the U.S., where they are widely accepted as a common
dietary choice, specifically on factors that have contributed to the increase
of the vegetarian population, the history of vegetarianism in the U.S.,
the nutritional characteristics of American-style vegetarian diets,
and their effect on preventing lifestyle-related diseases.
Many epidemiological surveillance studies have demonstrated the efficacy of
vegetarian diets in preventing lifestyle-related diseases among vegetarians,
who follow dietary principles contrasting to the meat-oriented dietary habit
more common in the U.S.
In Japan, where the world's longest-lived people follow dietary principles
not significantly different from those of vegetarianism,
the lifestyle-related disease-preventive effect of vegetarian diets
has also been investigated in certain reports,
but further evidence should be obtained from future studies.

Effects of electrolyzed water treatment on the yield and quality of paddy-rice
were studied.
[Yield of Paddy Rice] In both of the two test fields in Osaka Prefecture,
the winnowed paddy weight and brown rice weight of the sprayed lot exceeded
those of the control lot. The test field in Aichi Prefecture showed little
difference between the two lots.
[Quality of Paddy Rice] (1) Brown Rice: Aichi was found better in taste,
and both Sakai (S) and Habikino (H) in Osaka were almost equivalent.
But there was no specific difference between the sprayed and control lots
in either of the three test fields. Both of the two lots in the three test
fields contained almost equal levels of amylose, protein, water, and fatty acid.
(2) Boiled Rice: As for the taste, Aichi was found better than or equal to Osaka (S),
and both of them were better than Osaka (H).
But there was no specific difference between the sprayed and control lots
in either of the three test fields. Both of the two lots in the three test fields
showed almost equal appearance, hardness, cohesiveness, and balance.

Eating Trends by Food Group: The respondents named vegetables as the food
they need to increase most in their diet, secondly fruits,
and thirdly seaweeds, while snacks ranked at the top of the food
to be decreased in their diet and instant foods at the second place.
Recognition of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables:
Among the 134 respondents, 109 (81%) replied
that they repeatedly purchase fresh-cut fruits and vegetables.
The most indicated negative aspects of fresh-cut fruits and
vegetables were "higher price", "less freshness",
and "uncertain production process",
whereas the most indicated positive aspects were
"easy accessibility", "high convenience", "readiness to eat", and "everyday food".
Key words:

Vegetarian Research Vol. 7 (2006)

A food intake survey was conducted for three consecutive days on
109 lacto-ovo-vegetarians aged 14-16 years and 82 non-vegetarians
of the same age in order to compare the two groups in terms of:
food-group intake, nutrient intake, and fatty acid intake.
The survey revealed that the vegetarian group had a higher
intake of foods except eggs, meat, fish and shellfish.
Nutrient intake was sufficient except for niacin,
and the lacto-ovo-vegetarians' diet was well balanced.
The P/S ratio (ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated acid)
was 1.1-1.2 among the lacto-ovo-vegetarians.
The fat energy ratio was 30.9-33.4%.
And the ratio of n-6 fatty acid to n-3 fatty acid was about 5,
while that of the vegetarian group was about 7.
The intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and that of
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in vegetarians were small,
1/7-1/10 of their non-vegetarian counterparts.
On the other hand, the intake of linoleic acid in vegetarians tended to be large.
It is concluded that some improvement in diet is necessary
for the ideal intake of fat and fatty acid.
Keywords: Vegetarian, Vegetarianism, Nutrient intake, Fatty acid intake,
Japanese, Westerners

Organoleptic sensory test was performed about
the taste of fresh-cut stick vegetables(carrot, cucumber and celery)
with a class of youth to explain the factors affecting the preference.
Panelists liked best on the cucumber,
followed by carrot, and they liked worst on the celery.
As for the panelist's evaluation, it was obvious
that they judged by the taste and shape before cutting process,
the experience with usual eating habits and the use frequency.
Key word: Organoleptic sensory test, fresh-cut stick vegetables,
carrot, cucumber, celery

This paper introduces the application in the agricultural industry
of electrolyzed acidic and alkaline water generated by electrolysis
of dilute KCl (potassium chloride) through a membrane.
Electrolyzed acidic water with a strong bactericidal effect
has been approved as a disinfectant food additive
since 2002 and widely used in the medical and food industries.
In the agricultural industry, papers have reported its application,
but with only a few actual examples.
Therefore, we conducted hearings with agricultural producers
in some application fields and report their results with pictures.
Key word: Electrolyzed water, Disinfection, Spray application, Fruits, Vegetables

Vegetarian Research Vol. 6 (2005)

Use of the Laver (Porphyra)
for Vegetarian as the Supplement of the Vitamin B12
Kazutoshi Nishizawa*, Mitsuo Ochiai, Takeshi Yamada, Hiroshi Arai
Vegetarian Research Vol. 6, 7-10 (2005).

Porphyra ezoensis, a species of marine algae, or so-called marine vegetables,
is presently replacing P. tenera, which has been cultured for nearly 40 years,
as one of the most cultured algae in Japan.
It contains a particularly high amount of vitamin B12,
most of which is present in the form of cyanocobaramin.
This suggests that laver is suitable as a vitamin B12-food supplement,
even for the strictest of vegetarians.
For this reason, we investigated the ability of vitamin B12 to be absorbed
from laver frond powder into the liver of experimental rats.
This was done by using a microbial analytical method in which the B12,
absorbed by the liver from the standard bait was
mixed with the fine-powdered laver fronds.
Standard procedures were used, and no excess amounts of B12 were found in the blood.

*3-10-4 Mukoyama, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 176-0022, Japan

Vegetarian Research Vol. 6 (2005)

Survey on Vegetarian based on Daily Intake of Animal Foods,
II. A Report on Middle-aged Women in Northern Part of Hyogo
Akinori Takai*, Hiroyuki Yamanaka, Mitsuru Kakimoto
Vegetarian Research Vol. 6, 11-14 (2005).

We investigated the daily intake of animal foods by a questionnaire
in 114 women aged 40-82 to clarify the size of vegetarian population
and the current situation concerning vegetarian diet in Japan.
There were no vegan (pure-vegetarian) and no lacto-ovo-vegetarians
but 0.9% were non-meat-eaters. Lacto-ovo-vegetarian-like and
non-meat-eater-like peoples including those who rarely eat animal foods
were 3.5% and 10.5%, respectively.
Many of reasons why they do not eat animal foods were health (70.0%).
Key word: animal food intake, vegetarian diet, vegetarian population

To determine the relation between generous intakes of plant-based protein
and health, middle-aged Japanese (age from 50 to 69) male vegetarian subjects
(n=10) and age- and gender-matched healthy subjects consuming typical Japanese
diets were compared for plant protein intake, serum amino acids and insulin levels.
Significant differences were found in frequency of meat, fish and legume
consumption as well as carbohydrate and dietary fiber intake levels.
The ratios of animal to plant protein consumption and amino acids lysine to
arginine were significantly lower in vegetarians. The ratio of the plasma amino
acid fraction of lysine to that of arginine, serum levels of insulin and total
cholesterol were also significantly lower, while glucagon tended to be higher
in the vegetarians. Body fat measurements of BMI, percent body fat, and
waist-to-hip ratio were lower in vegetarians. The high intake of plant-based
protein of the vegetarian subjects was reflected in the plasma amino acid differences,
which related to a lower level of serum insulin. This may possibly, in
turn, link to lower blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, and body fat.
In this study, insulin levels were compared between vegetarian subjects
and a comparison group consisting of subjects in their 50's and 60's,
the age group in Japan who are consuming a typical Japanese diet that is
considered to be relatively healthy. Even when compared with this relatively
healthy group, the dietary difference of vegetarians appeared to have a
significant beneficial effect of reducing insulin secretion.
Key word: Japanese vegetarian, middle-aged, plant protein intake, lysine/arginine ,
plasma amino acid, serum insulin , serum total cholesterol, body fat.

Vegetarian Research Vol. 4 (2003)

Occurrence and risk of iron-deficiency anemia or megaroblastic anemia are more
prevalent in vegetarians who eat no animal food at all. This study was therefore
designed to investigate the nutritional intake and hematological status of 18
Japanese vegetarian women(mean age 43.8}14.5yrs) who eat brown rice.
There were seven vegetarians who ate no animal food at all, the others being
people who tried to avoid eating it as much as possible.
Cereal, nut and seed, and seaweed intake was significantly higher
in the vegetarians compared with the mean food intake of the women
in their 40's in the national nutrition survey.
However, there was no difference in the intake of beans, vegetables
and fruit. Iron, vitamin B1, niacin and dietary fiber absorbed 80% or more
of the dietary allowance but intake of energy, protein and other nutritive
substances was significantly low. 44% of the vegetarians did not consume their
protein requirement (0.7g/kg). The mean BMI was 19.5}3.3. 33% of them had a
BMI value of less than 18.5. Low hemoglobin concentration(12g/dl) occurred
in 33% of the vegetarians. There were two people diagnosed from the hemoglobin,
the hematocrit, the serum iron, MCV, MCH, the number of red blood corpuscles and
TIBC as having iron- deficiency anemia. The frequency of had iron-deficiency
anemia was the same as in the non-vegetarians. One person had macrocyte anemia,
but a positive megaloblastic anemia could not be found.
Key word: vegetarian, nutritional intake, anemia

We investigated the daily intake of animal foods in a questionnaire completed by 533 undergraduate students (125 men and 408 women) aged 18-28 to clarify the size of the vegetarian population and the current situation concerning vegetarian diet in Japan. There were no vegan (pure-vegetarian) and no lacto-ovo-vegetarians but 0.9% were non-meat eaters. Vegan-like, lacto-ovo-vegetarian-like and non-meat-eater-like people, including those who rarely eat animal foods, accounted for 0.2%, 4.3% and 9.2%, respectively. However, many of the vegetarian-like people were not aware of being vegetarian and did not actively avoid the intake of animal foods. Many of the reasons why they did not eat animal foods were dislike (36%) and health (28%).
Key word: animal food intake, vegetarian diet, vegetarian population

Vegetarian Research Vol. 2 (2001)

The Japanese diet has since long ago changed to resemble the common
Eulopean diet. We have thus apparently come to be well-nourished in
our daily lives. Furtnermore, the Japanese life span has been extended
to become one of the longest in the world. Our dietary habit, however,
seem to have recently got worse because of imbarance in nutrients.
It has been officially reported that the death rates from such diseases
as cardiac infraction as well as encephalo-apoplexy or -infraction and
diabetes etc. are rising. These diseases relate closely to our
lifestyles in most cases exept those due to genetic factors. It has
recently been elucidated, however, that the edible seaweeds or
sea-vegetables contain various substances useful in keeping the human
body healthy, for example, water-soluble heteropolysaccharides having
various dietary-fiber properties with high-level physiological functions
when taken as food in addition to various lipids
consisting of abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid residues different
from those of higher plansts and animals. These substances exhibit
a preventive function against cholesteremia as well as cancers.
Some edible seaweeds, particularly belonging to the brown-algae group,
contain certain amounts of fucosterol and carotenoids, which have the
physiological function of lowering hypertension and eliminating superoxides,
respectively. A certain group of the edible red algae such as Nori contains
quite large amounts of vitamin B12 in addition to taurine and choline,
which occur usuarly in animals. In addition, most of seaweeds, including
edible ones, contain not only various antibiotics or phenolic antioxidants
but also many kinds of minerals which are intimately related to important
bio- and enzymatic reactions within our bodies. Thus, it seems to be desirable,
even in advanced countries, to eat more sea-vegetables in addition to
yellow-green vegetables, the above-mentioned facts being taken into consideration.
Key words: Algal heteropolysaccharides, dietary fiber, antihypertensive substances,
cholesterolemia, anticoagulant, thrombosis, diabetes, antitumor activity, mineral.

Vegetarian Research Vol. 2 (2001)

Although a growing interest is being taken in global environmental issues,
little attention is being paid in Japan to meet-production and fish-harvest
issues. This essay examines problems concerning the meat and fishery industries,
looking at changes in production- and consumption-levels, and in what is
happening with regard to such issues as the shrinking of rainforest and
ecological changes.
Key word: meat production, fish harvest, meat industry, fishery, rainforest decrease,
ecological changes, starvation, reckless

Vegetarian Research Vol. 2 (2001)

Research Conducted Regarding Japanese Attitudes Towards Vegetarianism
as Compared with those of Westerners
Mitsuru Kakimoto*, Yumi Watabe and Masahide Sakyu,
Vegetarian Research Vol. 2, 23-26 (2001)

In order to make a comparison between dietary cultures in the East
and the West, Japanese college students and Westerners living in Japan
were asked to fill out a questionnaire. In response to gWhat do you
know about the vegetarians?h, 82.6% of the Westerners chose gThey
donft eat meath, while 66% of the Japanese students answered
gThey eat only vegetables or fruitsh. Regarding the reasons for
becoming vegetarians, more than 60% of the Western females chose
ganimal rightsh, while slightly fewer than 20% of the Japanese
females chose it. Asked gWhat do you think is the religion with
which the vegetarians are connected?h, 57.1% of the Westerners chose
Buddhism. Meanwhile, regarding the Japanese, Islam and Hinduism topped
the list with over 30% each. Thus, there turned out to be a significant
difference in level of awareness and knowledge of vegetarianism between
Westerners and Japanese.
Keywords: vegetarian, vegetarianism, attitude, relogion, Japanese, westerner

Vegetarian Research Vol. 1 (2000)

This paper discusses the origin of vegetarianism, the history of
vegetarianism, the rise of modern vegetarianism, the foundation of
the International Vegetarian Union, vegetarian diets in Japan, etc.
Suggestions are discussed for classification of vegetarians and issues
concerning health, nutrition, environment, food, and population, with
a view to promoting vegetarianism as a lifestyle in the 2lst century.
Key words: vegetarianism, vegetarian, history and category of vegetarian,
modern vegetarianism, IVU, Japanese vegetarian diets, life style

Vegetarian Research Vol. 1 (2000)

During the last several decades epidemiological studies have proved that
vegetarian diets and exercise promote health, and that smoking and diets
rich in animal fat contribute to the disease process. Most of the evidence
comes from health studies on Seventh-day Adventists. Based on these studies,
official guidelines, such as "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2000" and
"Healthy Japanese 21", place a greater emphasis on diets rich in vegetables and fruits.
Key words: vegetarian diets, Seventh-day Adventists, health study, dietary guidelines

*Kobe Adventist Hospital, 8-4-1 Arinodai, Kita-ku, Kobe 651-13, Japan

Vegetarian Research Vol. 1 (2000)

Psychiatry and Vegetarianism
|The trial of vegetarian diet in the treatment of mental disorders|.

Hideo Suzuki*
Vegetarian Research Vol. 1, 19-24 (2000)

It seems to be widely believed that medication is the the only way to cure
mental diseases, and that dietetic treatment is not effective, even if
dietetics may help for some physical disorders. This belief is reflected
in clinical practice. Thus while fasting is sometimes recommended for
depression patients, generally it is very rare to apply dietetic treatment,
let alone that of a vegetarian diet, to patients suffering from mental disorders.
The author, however, has seen cases in which a vegetarian diet mainly consisting
of grains is effective for treating depression or anxiety neurosis.
The present paper reports on one such case of a 29-year-old male suffering
from depression with a strong sense of anxiety, and considers mainly from
the viewpoint of oriental medicine why this vegetarian diet is effective for
treating depression or neurosis.

Vegetarian Research Vol. 1 (2000)

It may be considered as the ethical revolution that occurred during the
latter part of the 20th century when the animal liberation movement,
guided by Peter Singer, happened, and@the animal rights theory proposed
by Tom Regan appeared. First of all, in this paper, I will review their
historical background, namely the utilitarianism of Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832),
the evolutionarism of Charles Darwin (1809-82) and the vegetarianism of
Henry S. Salt (1851-1939). Secondly, I will criticize traditional Western
thoughts based on the viewpoints of both nature and humans, that is, the
destruction of nature and anthropocentrism. Finally, I will consider their
contributions to the 21st century, for example, the feminist theory, the deep
ecological movement, the new human rights and so on. Vegetarianism as
a lifestyle for the new century, which the Japanese Society for Vegetarian
Research professes, should and must push this revolutionary trend towards
a new relation between humans and animals.

*Division of Social Studies, Joetsu University of Education, Joetsu,
Niigata 943-8512, Japan